International Quality and Productivity Centre (IQPC), the global organization company of International Conferences, Online Communities, Summits & Workshops for industry leaders in every key industry, will held the 2nd Annual Cultural Middle East Conference from 31 October - 2 November 2017 at the Meydan Hotel, Dubai, UAE. 

The 2nd Annual Cultural Tourism Middle East conference will address the latest developments and strategies to boost tourism in the Middle East through culture, heritage, arts and festivals. The Middle East is investing heavily in cultural tourism in an effort to economically diversify away from oil reliance.

As a result, Middle Eastern governments and tourism authorities are beginning to understand the importance of promoting their rich cultural heritage more effectively, leading to revised tourism strategies and budgetary allowances. 

Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art, founded in 2010, is situated in Education City in Qatar Foundation (QF), in a renovated former school building. Image courtesy of Mathaf 

"By preserving and properly presenting their cultural heritage in an exciting and easily accessible manner, Middle Eastern countries can appeal to a much wider global travelling audience and look forward to higher and more sustainable tourism sector growth rates in the coming years," said the organisation. 

The 2017 edition of the conference will welcome keynote addresses from Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority, Dubai Opera, Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage Development Authority, Sharjah Museum Department, and Ministry of Antiquities, Cairo, to learn how to successfully achieve sustainable cultural tourism and strategic partnerships in the MENA region.

The Museum of Islamic Art, Doha, Qatar. Designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect I.M. Pei, opened in 2008, the museum is comprised of a main building with an adjacent education wing connected by a large central courtyard. Image by ProTenders 

During the conference, participants will be listening sessions from UNESCO to understand the integrity principles and criteria selection to becoming a world-class heritage site, while learning from international experts from Italy and England to understand how to promote cultural heritage to increase tourism flows and enhance overall revenue.

In addition, Manal Ataya, Director General, Sharjah Museum Department, will discuss the history of museum development in the UAE and recognise what it takes to be the number one museum attraction. Download the agenda now to view the programme and list of speakers.

Developed in partnership with the Architectural Heritage Society and supported by Sharjah Museums Department, Dubai Culture & various other stakeholders, participants, speakers and experts will discuss the 120 Cultural & Museum projects in the region such as Dubai Historic District, Saadiyat Cultural District, Zayed National Museum, Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, Etihad Museum, Qasr Al Muwaiji, King Abdulaziz Centre for World Culture and many more.

Snøhetta's King Abdulaziz Centre for World Culture in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. The Cultural Center is expected to be completed in 2017 and an opening date is not yet announced. Image © Snøhetta

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) invests billions to promote Cultural tourism and to develop new world-class cultural attractions within the region. Most of these projects in UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar are still under construction or most of them are aiming to be completed with tight deadlines. 

Dubai Historical District (DHD) includes 65 heritage restoration projects and 31,000 square meters of museums - like the Perfume museum, Al Maktoum Museum, Creek Museum along with other projects in the pipeline like  Culture of Sea (Heritage Crust center)Children Pavilion & the Dubai Cultural Heritage.

Saudi Arabia, under the vision 2030 aims to increase the number of public and private museums from 155 to 241, increasing the number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites from four to 10 and increase the number of archaeological sites suitable to visit from 75 to 155. In addition, the Kingdom will increase the number of archaeological heritage sites from 10 to 28 and increase the number of activities and cultural events from 190 currently to 400 annually.

Jean Nouvel's National Museum Of Qatar nears completion. Image courtesy of Doha News

Oman pledged investments of $2.5 billion for the Omagine Project which includes 18 museums, four UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the Royal Opera House Muscat and Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, among others.

In Qatar, the culture and performance events has played a significant role in driving visitor demand, a number of new attractions are also under development. The projects, headed by Qatar Museum Authority, have so far included Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art, the Museum of Islamic Art and the Orientalist Museum. Over the coming years these museums will be joined by the highly anticipated National Museum of Qatar.

In addition Baharain, Kuwait, Jordan & Egypt have also committed to developing their museum and Heritage restoration sites to promote cultural tourism within their countries.

Purchase your pass to attend the conference and there is a group booking discounts over regular passes. See the Conference Day 1 and Day 2 Program. World Architecture Community is media partner for the event. 

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